“The Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
She added that a number of these drones were successfully brought down using “kinetic and non-kinetic” means. Preliminary forensic analysis suggested that the drones were Turkish-made SONGAR unmanned aerial vehicles, designed for combat support and reconnaissance.“The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence,” Qureshi said, confirming the drones’ make as “Turkish Asisguard Songar drones.”
From Leh to Sir Creek, India’s western border saw coordinated drone activity — a level of infiltration that, officials said, pointed to a planned and deliberate operation by the Pakistani military. Among the targeted areas was the military base in Bhatinda, where one unmanned aerial vehicle tried to strike but was neutralised before impact.
Civilian flights used as shields
Adding a dangerous twist, Pakistan kept its civilian airspace open during the operation — a move Indian officials called an attempt to use civil aviation as a shield against retaliation.
“Pakistan is using a civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
“The Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring the safety of international civil carriers,” she added.
Gurdwara attack condemned as ‘new low’
India also strongly condemned Pakistan for targeting places of worship during the drone strikes, calling it a desperate attempt to incite communal discord.
“The Gurudwara in Poonch, in particular, was attacked by Pakistan, and some local members of the Sikh community lost their lives in this incident,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
He slammed Pakistan for trying to deflect blame with falsehoods, including the accusation that India had attacked the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara — a claim he categorically rejected as part of “Pakistan’s disinformation campaign.”
“Pakistan is trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create a communal discord,” Misri said.
India’s counterstrikeIndia retaliated swiftly. In response to the drone swarm and artillery shelling, the Indian military struck back at four Pakistani military installations.
“In response to Pakistan’s attack, drones were launched against four Pakistani military installations. One of these drones was able to destroy an AD (air defence) radar,” said Col Qureshi.
Pakistan also continued its shelling campaign, targeting areas in Jammu and Kashmir including Uri, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor, injuring several Indian soldiers.
What happened on May 8–9
On Thursday night, Pakistan escalated its attacks, launching drones and missiles at several key Indian military bases.
“Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir,” a defence ministry spokesperson said, reported Economic Times.
Indian military sources revealed that Pakistani missiles were also aimed at civilian areas — including Jammu’s Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia — but were intercepted by India’s air defence systems.
Pakistan issues denial, blames India
Pakistan, meanwhile, has denied all involvement. Its Foreign Office issued a strongly worded statement rejecting what it called “baseless and irresponsible allegations propagated by the Indian media.”
“These claims are entirely unfounded, politically motivated and part of a reckless propaganda campaign aimed at maligning Pakistan,” the statement read.
The Pakistani government further accused India of manufacturing a pretext for aggression, while warning that any escalation “based on false pretenses” would be met with “full resolve.”
Pakistan insisted that it remains committed to peace, but “reserves the right to respond to acts of aggression.”
Pahalgam massacre
The current spike in hostilities comes days after terrorists killed 26 people — mostly civilians — in a brutal attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
In a retaliatory strike, the Indian military launched missile attacks early Wednesday on terror targets across the border, including Bahawalpur, the stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which India blames for the massacre.
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